r boys.

When all was quiet and the Indians were breathing deeply, Lewis sat up.
It was bright moonlight, and he could see plainly. He could see Jacob,
and the forms of the Indians stretched around. He moved more. Nobody
else stirred, not a breath was interrupted. Then, to find out if the
Indians were playing 'possum, he stood on his feet.

Not an Indian even so much as turned over. He began to walk about,
treading carelessly, to test them out. He was a wise boy; he spent an
hour, experimenting, while his heart beat more and more hopefully. He
might have stolen off, but of course he had to take Jacob.

Jacob was asleep. Lewis crept to him and touched him and woke him.

"Come on," he whispered. "We're going."

Jacob shook his head, afraid.

"No."

"Yes."

Jacob's eyes widened.

"We'll be caught."

"No, we won't. They're asleep. Listen? I know they're asleep. Hurry
up."

Jacob was only twelve. Lewis was his bigger brother, whom he admired.
So he got up, staring--took long breath, and he holding to Lewis's
hand, into the moonlit timber they scooted with never a backward look.

"We can follow our own trail back to the river," said Lewis. "It'll be
easy."

"Ouch!" And Jacob began to limp.

Lewis stopped.

"You wait here. I'll get some moccasins."

"No, Lewis! They'll catch you."

"No, they won't. We've got to have moccasins."

Lewis scudded for the camp. In a minute he had found moccasins and had
brought them. That was better. Now they might travel faster. But
Lewis halted again.

"Wait. I'm going to get father a gun!"

"No, Lewis! Let's hurry. We don't want a gun."

"Yes, we do. Maybe we'll have to defend ourselves or kill meat. You
wait right here."

Back Lewis scudded, a second time. He was a boy without fear. He
brought a gun and ammunition. Then they hastened on. This time they
had not gone far before they heard muffled voices behind them. The
Indians had wakened and were on their trail.

"Hurry!" Jacob gasped. "Run!"

"No. They'd catch us sure. Our legs are too short. You do as I say,
Jakie. When they get near, we'll hide and let 'em pass us. That's the
way."

They hurried, but they kept listening. At what he thought ought to be
the right time--when the voices and the twig-crackings were
louder--Lewis grasped Jacob's arm.

"Now! Into the brush on this side, quick! No noise!"

They hid in a good place. Not a minute later two or three of the